I've been asked a few times, when I paint night scenes, was I feeling dark? Depressed? Unhappy? My answer is always the same. I ask, do you enjoy the moonlight? How about the sparkling light on the night waters? Do you peer into the deep woods at night from your car as you drive and wonder what is in there? Is there a wolf? Is there a bear? Is it safe? I think everyone experiences the woods at night in different ways, but for certain, those who love the woods most likely also love the woods at night, especially near the waters edge. I am certainly one of them. Recently I was on Meech Lake in Gatineau Park and we paddled across just after dark. Before we struck a fire pit we took time to absorb the moodiness of the night reflections on the water. It was enveloping! Wonderful! Deep! I didn't want the moment to end.

So here I paint a night scene, it is in praise of those moments by the waters edge. At night.

Monthly Payment PlansFor Art?

Buying art: Pay all at once or in instalments?So you have decided to buy a wonderful piece of art but the price is more than your have budgeted for. Is it OK to ask the artist for a payment plan?Very few artists and art buyers think of the payment plan as an alternative way of acquiring art, some would even feel ashamed to ask for one from the artist. Some artists would prefer to be paid all at once. In my experience I prefer taking payments in monthly instalments.Here is why:Quality art, art that is carefully executed and with excellent materials, and backed with years of well earned experience, is often priced a little on the high side. When you consider not only the experience of the artist but also his living expenses, transportation, very hungry children, etc, etc, like all of us, these costs add up (I could go on endlessly over that one) . You would expect to pay hundreds or even thousands for a good painting. Who has so much disposable cash for such extravagant acquisitions? Even if you do, like a car salesman once said to me, "why do you want to give away all of your money right now?"Retailers charge interest on top of your payments but most artists, myself included would not. So you have the opportunity to acquire that painting you love, at full price but in monthly instalments that you are comfortable with...how cool is that? So it's good for you! Unlike the car or TV you are making payments on this painting will never loose value and in fact will gain value with time. So it's a win win for you.What about for the artist?It's always nice to have a big pay cheque, but if you think about it, receiving payments monthly stretches out your income over many months, enables your client to make the purchase, take the painting home and start enjoying it right away. It also places more of your paintings in front of more people, increasing exposure (dinner parties, etc) and likely more sales.I believe it is far better for my paintings to be hanging on YOUR walls than on mine. So I try to make it as easy as possible.And there you go.P.S. Someone just asked me what my terms are for monthly payments? Here how it works:Usually 20% down with the balance in $100.00 monthly payments. Post dated cheques mailed to me in one envelope, I deposit on the same day each month until paid in full. The actual amounts vary depending on the buyers comfort levels.

RM

This is me at Holly and Roy's cottage painting sketch canvases of Canoe Lake in the summer of 2011.

This sketch above became this finished painting below

The Pine Tree Painter.

How did I become known as the Pine Tree Painter? You could say I paint a lot of Pine Trees, that would be true. I paint a lot of other things too, but Pine Trees, Spruce Trees, Birch and others seem to be a continuous string in what i do. I just like the way they stand there like a custodian of the land. or a greeter to nature. So, I continue down the path with the Pine Tree Painter name on my head, It's ok. Robert McAffee